THE row over a watchdog's long-awaited ruling on York's controversial Coppergate traffic restrictions has escalated into a fierce political war of words.

City of York Council found out on Friday that it had lost a legal battle over whether it could fine people for driving through Coppergate, after a year long wait for an appeal decision.

While the Labour council cabinet member for transport David Levene has claimed the ruling as a partial victory, his opponents have called it a harsh criticism of the party's leadership in York.

The National Traffic Tribunal's chief adjudicator, Caroline Sheppard, ruled that Coppergate was a legitimate bus lane, and the council was entitled to enforce the rules, but said problems including the inadequate signs meant the fines were unenforceable.

The council has set aside £387,000 in fines that it may now need to repay, although it still has the right of appeal.

York Press:

From left: Cllrs David Levene, Chris Steward and Keith Aspden

York's Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Keith Aspden said: "The rejection of this appeal is another huge blow for the discredited Labour cabinet. It is the latest blunder they have made over the Coppergate restrictions and the botched Lendal Bridge trial.

He added: "A clear and detailed legal ruling was given by the Traffic Adjudicator last spring. Labour didn’t like it, so they have wasted over £11,000 of public money fighting the judgment and are now threatening further legal action.

"The ruling over signage is highly critical of the Labour council and shows this appeal has been a huge waste of public money, time and resources. It has also been personally frustrating for those fined. The council should promptly issue refunds and rule out further costly legal challenges.

His comments were backed up by the Conservative leader on the council, Chris Steward, who branded the architects of the Coppergate scheme "incompetent" and criticised the "eye watering" sums spent on the schemes which he said "could have mitigated Labour’s cuts elsewhere."

"Labour has always argued the road was legally able to be called a bus lane and criticised the idea it might be ruled not to be. This ruling makes it clear whilst the problem was not with the bus lane per se it was with Labour’s total inability to run anything properly," he added.

Cllr Levene said the ruling upheld the council's right to designate Coppergate a bus lane and impose fines, but said government guidance on the signs that should have been used was unclear.

He said: "The Tribunal has confirmed their original decision on the signage but have admitted that the Department for Transport guidance is unclear. We will be working with the Department for Transport, the Local Government Association and other affected councils over the coming weeks to clarify the local and national position on signage and ensure any required changes to the guidance are made."